LCDAC HOSTS INFORMATION SESSION ON ILLICIT DRUGS

Every community experiences times where drugs become a large problem,
and a Leduc organization is doing everything they can to stop it from
happening here.

On Oct. 1, Cristal Bole of the Leduc Community Drug Action Committee
(LCDAC) presented an information session about illicit drugs.

She started off the evening explaining to the audience that the
purpose of the presentation and LCDAC is not to tell youth not to do
drugs, but to educate them so they at least know what they could be
getting themselves into.

The first topic on the agenda was drug culture and organized crime.
Bole explained that drug trafficking generates more profit than
trafficking of any other commodity.

"Most of the drugs here are here because of some sort of organized
crime," said Bole.

More than 97 per cent of drug trades are controlled by organized crime
units (OCU), she said adding that OCU's are led by smart powerful,
innovative and well-connected business people.

"These are no the people we associate with drug dealers," she
said.

During the presentation Bole discussed Leduc's top three drugs of
choice, marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy.

"Marijuana is number one (drug choice) in the world. It's been that
way for a very long time and it likely will be for a long time to
come," said Bole.

She added that people are constantly saying don't drink and drive, but
should be reminded marijuana can have some of the same physical
effects and is considered driving under the influence.

North America represents the largest proportion of cocaine users in
the world at 45 per cent, Bole stated. She added that the market for
cocaine has been stable since about 2006, and although its good to see
the numbers haven't increased, it's upsetting knowing there hasn't
been a decrease. As for ecstasy, Bole said studies have shown no
physical dependence to the drug.

"If you have someone who is addicted to ecstasy, it's all in their
mind," said Bole, adding that sometimes a psychological dependency can
seem like a physical dependency.

Bole listed several behavioral and physical sign and symptoms
including loss or increase in appetite, poor physical condition,
change in sleep patterns, tremors or shakes of hand, feet or head,
change in overall attitude, change in friends, change in activities
and hobbies, drop in school performance, paranoia, secretive behaviors
and many more.

If you know someone with an addiction or drug and alcohol problem Bole
said it is important to encourage them to look at their behaviors,
accept and care for them and ask open-ended questions.